Team 'Outcasts' are Madison Area YMCA Charity Bocce champs

First place winner of the Madison Area YMCA 2013 Charity Bocce Invitational, the âOutcasts.â Pictured here (from left) are Victor Bocchino of Madison, Rocco Nigro of Madison, Tony Iorillo of Stirling and Carmine Sodano of Morristown.

Team “Outcasts” won the 12th annual Madison Area YMCA Charity Bocce Invitational Championship. The tournament finals, hosted by the Forum Club, took place on Oct. 24.
Team “Fratelli Di Bocci” took second place. Team “Big Balls” was the Consolation Bracket winning team.

The tournament enjoyed a record year with the participation of 24 teams and 120 players. Proceeds from the event raised more than $22,000 for the Madison Area YMCA’s LIVESTRONG at the YMCA initiative, a new, free 12-week health and wellness program for cancer survivors. In-kind donations totaled an additional $10,000.

The next opportunity to participate in a significant Madison Area YMCA charity event is June 2014 when the Y will hold its 17th annual Charity Golf Classic. Each year, 100% of the golf tournament proceeds make summer camp a reality for area children whose families are unable to fully afford the cost. Since 1998, the Charity Golf Classic is the single most important fundraising event for the Madison Area YMCA’s Annual Fund.

The annual fund enables hundreds of children and families to participate in Y membership, programs and services including child care, early childhood education and summer camps at the Madison Area Y’s Family Center and renowned F.M. Kirby Children’s Center. Generous donations to the annual fund allows the Madison Area Y to provide assistance to anyone who resides or works within its local service area. Support is provided based on demonstrated need, with the goal that no one be turned away from membership regardless of income or background.

To sponsor or participate in the annual Charity Bocce Invitational or annual Charity Golf Tournament in 2014 or for other YMCA sponsorship opportunities, contact Leigh Anne Soroka at 973-822-YMCA (9622), ext. 2232 or lsoroka@madisonymca.org.